When should I use weak pointers in C++?

When should I use weak pointers in C++?

Weak pointers are used to prevent circular references in shared pointers, allowing for better memory management.

Can you give me an example of a situation where weak pointers are necessary?

Sure! If you have two objects that reference each other, using weak pointers can help avoid memory leaks.

What happens if I don't use weak pointers in that case?

Without weak pointers, the objects will keep each other alive, leading to a memory leak since neither can be destroyed.

Are there any performance implications of using weak pointers?

Yes, weak pointers have a slight overhead compared to raw pointers, but they are generally worth it for memory safety.